Considering the Biology of Suicide in Autism
In our last SafeMinds Shares, we highlighted a review of the psychiatric conditions that frequently co-occur with an autism diagnosis. One of these conditions is suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The James Kirk Bernard Foundation, founded by parents with an autistic son and a typical son who died from suicide, has written an extensive overview of the commonalities between autism and suicide biology and life situations, which may explain why people with autism are a high-risk group for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. With April 30 marking the last day of Autism Awareness Month and May 1 the start of Mental Health Awareness Month, SafeMinds Shares brings this important topic to our readers.
An Interview with James Williams – Autistic Advocate
An Interview with James Williams, Autistic Advocate, SafeMinds Communications Committee Member Last year, SafeMinds Executive Director Lisa Wiederlight, had the privilege of interviewing James Williams, a 27 year-old man with autism. James is a bright, highly-intelligent advocate for and representative of the autism community. The text of the interview follows. Please tell us about yourself, […]
The Unexpected Way This Mom is Giving Thanks
By Heidi Roger, SafeMinds Board Member I’m sending one to that guy behind the pizza counter. The one who helped Andrew after he was mistakenly left on the school bus by himself and somehow managed to pry the bus door open and cross Main Street without getting hit by a car. The pizza man could […]
Five Ways to Really Help People with Autism
By Katie Weisman, SafeMinds Board Member So, it’s Autism Awareness Month again. Hmmm…. Facebook is abuzz with posts about autism awareness. Buildings are lighting up in blue to show support for autism, while Twitter is chirping with the hashtags #autism and #awareness. There are hundreds of events around the country celebrating that more and more […]
Safe Minds Require Safe Bodies: What You Can Do for Autism Awareness Month 2015
As I write this, it’s still rainy and cold outside of my window, but I can see tiny yellow buttercups and purple chicory flowers just starting to poke their way out of the frozen ground. Every April, SafeMinds’ board takes a moment to highlight the organization’s upcoming activities and projects. I’m sending you this email […]
